Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez leads State Sen. Tom Kean, Jr., his
likely Republican challenger, 40 - 36 percent, with 19 percent undecided, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a 38 - 36 percent lead for Sen. Menendez in a January 25 poll by
the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, Republicans back Kean 76 - 8 percent, while Democrats back
Menendez 76 - 6 percent. Independent voters are split with 37 percent for Kean and 34
percent for Menendez.

Among Menendez voters, 32 percent back him mainly because he did a good job in
Congress, with 29 percent who mainly agree with him philosophically and 13 percent who
back him mainly because he is New Jersey's first Hispanic Senator.

Among Kean voters, 32 percent point mainly to philosophical agreement, with 26
percent who like him because they liked his father, former Gov. Thomas Kean, and 18
percent who point to his record in the State Senate.

"Sen. Menendez holds a narrow lead in this race only because there are more
Democrats than Republicans in New Jersey. Significantly, Kean holds a small edge
among Independent voters who often swing the balance in New Jersey elections, " said
Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"It is significant that a quarter of Sen. Kean's supporters are voting for the son
because they like the father. That could be a weakness for Kean as he becomes better
known on his own by the voters," Richards added.

"Sen. Menendez, on the other hand, has the added benefit of loyal supporters who
back him as the state's first Hispanic Senator."
President Bush's Approval

New Jersey voters disapprove of the job President George W. Bush is doing
65 - 31 percent, his lowest rating in New Jersey and one of the lowest in any Quinnipiac
University poll nationally or in New York, Connecticut, Florida or Pennsylvania.

Going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do, voters say 62 - 33 percent, and
disapprove 69 - 27 percent of the President's handling of the war, also a record low.

Voters also disapprove 53 - 43 percent of the way Bush is handling terrorism. A
total of 91 percent of voters are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" about
terrorism in New Jersey.

"Democrats in New Jersey drag the President's approval rating down to an historic
low. His handling of the Iraq war explains some of the low voter support," Richards said.

Among New Jersey Democrats, 48 percent would like to see New York Sen.
Hillary Clinton nominated for President in 2008, followed by 15 percent for
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and 10 percent each for former North Carolina Sen. John
Edwards and Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden.

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is the '08 presidential choice of
57 percent of Republicans, followed by Arizona Sen. John McCain with 25 percent.

From March 8 - 14, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,147 registered voters with a margin
of error of +/- 2.9 percentage points. The survey includes 380 Republicans with a margin of error
of +/- 5 percentage points and 416 Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.8 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Florida and
nationally as a public service and for research.
For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu and quicklinks or call (203) 582-5201.

3. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Frank Lautenberg is handling his job
as United States Senator?

9. (If Kean voter q8) What is the main reason you support Kean? Is it --
A) Because you think he has done a good job in the State Senate
B) Because you agree with him philosophically
C) Because you liked his father

10. (If Menendez voter q8) What is the main reason you support Menendez? Is it --
A) Because you think he has done a good job in Congress
B) Because you agree with him philosophically
C) Because he would be the first Hispanic Senator from New Jersey

11. Who would you like to see the Democrats nominate for President in 2008 if the
candidates were New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Wisconsin Senator Russ
Feingold, former Virginia Governor Mark Warner, Delaware Senator Joseph Biden,
Massachusetts Senator John Kerry and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards?

12. Who would you like to see the Republicans nominate for President in 2008 if
the candidates were Arizona Senator John McCain, Virginia Senator George Allen,
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani?